OSHA Renews Enforcement Program for Warehousing, Distribution Centers
- The Occupational Safety and Health Administration announced Sept. 1 that it is renewing its National Emphasis Program on Warehousing and Distribution Center Operations, first established in July 2023, with the updated program remaining in effect for five years.
- OSHA cited employment in the industry more than doubling between December 2015 and 2025 as justification for continued focus, along with injury rates that remain well above the national average.
- Bureau of Labor Statistics data from 2020-2024 shows general warehousing and storage operations had an average recordable injury and illness rate of 5.2 cases per 100 full-time workers and a days away restricted or transferred rate of 4.4, compared with national averages of 2.6 and 1.6, respectively, across all private industries.
- The NEP directs enforcement resources toward warehousing and distribution centers, postal processing facilities, parcel delivery and courier services and local delivery operations.
- It focuses on hazards including powered industrial vehicles and forklifts, material handling and storage, walking-working surfaces, means of egress, heat, ergonomics, and fire protection; the program doesn’t create new regulatory requirements but guides how OSHA conducts inspections and enforces existing standards.
Standards Board Rejects Lawsuit Inspired PSM Changes
- The Cal/OSHA Standards Board rejected proposed changes to California’s Process Safety Management standard for refineries.
- The changes stemmed from a lawsuit challenging employee participation requirements established after the 2012 Chevron Richmond refinery fire.
- The Western States Petroleum Association argued the requirements should be handled through collective bargaining.
- The decision could send the dispute back to court, with next steps still unclear.
Worker Rescued After 30-40 Foot Fall Into Water Tank Excavation Hole
- A contract worker is expected to survive after falling roughly 30-40 feet into an excavation hole where a new water tank was being installed in Lewisville, Texas.
- The worker suffered injuries to an arm and a leg but remained conscious throughout the incident.
- Firefighter-paramedics performed a rope rescue, lowering crew members into the hole to assess and stabilize the man before hoisting him back to the surface.
- Once above ground, the worker was transported via medical helicopter to a local hospital as a precaution; Lewisville officials credited the successful rescue to extensive technical rigging, mechanical hauling, and paramedic training.
Florida Mine Worker Drowns in Submerged Haul Truck
- A female equipment operator at Bell Mine on State Road 82 in Lee County, Florida, died Sept. 14 after becoming trapped underwater inside an off-road haul truck.
- A coworker called 911, describing water 10 to 20 feet deep and reporting that a supervisor was attempting to break the truck’s window to reach her while other workers struggled to hold their breath long enough to get to her in the murky water.
- Dispatchers advised against entering the water unless safe and suggested throwing a floatable object instead, but the remote 500-acre property made the response difficult, and the woman remained submerged for several minutes with only the vehicle’s tires visible above water.
- Lee County Sheriff’s Office deputies and fire rescue crews responded, and a deputy ultimately removed the windshield to recover her body. OSHA confirmed it is investigating but has not released further details.